EL34 vs 6CA7

[aleclee]

Re: EL34 vs 6CA7

Alec,
ever tried JJ E34Ls ?

Yup. They're about the only JJ that I really like. (I've tried the 12AX7s in just about every amp I've owned in the last five years and they just didn't sound right.)

Their EL34L sounds just the way I'd expect an EL34 to sound. It has that upper mid peak that makes for classic crunch without being ice-picky or tinny. When I'm looking for that sound, the JJ EL34L is the tube I'd grab. I think I have one in my Peters. If I were playing in a hard rock band, I might consider them in my Rivera but the deeper cleans and smoother OD of the EH 6CA7 make it better suited to the roots rock stuff I play. That's not to say that I can't rock out with my current tubes, just that their sweet spot is a bit less edgy.

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: EL34 vs 6CA7

Yup. They're about the only JJ that I really like. (I've tried the 12AX7s in just about every amp I've owned in the last five years and they just didn't sound right.)

Their EL34L sounds just the way I'd expect an EL34 to sound. It has that upper mid peak that makes for classic crunch without being ice-picky or tinny. When I'm looking for that sound, the JJ EL34L is the tube I'd grab. I think I have one in my Peters. If I were playing in a hard rock band, I might consider them in my Rivera but the deeper cleans and smoother OD of the EH 6CA7 make it better suited to the roots rock stuff I play. That's not to say that I can't rock out with my current tubes, just that their sweet spot is a bit less edgy.

I dont know the only time I seem to really like them is when amp is cranked up, they really go flat through MassLite, I know you have Mass what's your take on them brought down to bedroom levels with MassLite?

 

[aleclee]

Re: EL34 vs 6CA7

I know you have Mass what's your take on them brought down to bedroom levels with MassLite?

Can't say. I don't expect any tube amp over 10W to sound decent attenuated to bedroom levels. To be honest, when I'm that volume constrained, I'll go in a different direction like a POD, Micro Cube, or iso cab.